The 33nd Annual

February 22 and 23, 2019

Gail Steiger

Prescott, AZ

Gail Steiger comes from both a ranching and songwriting background. His grandfather, Gail Gardner, wrote several well – known cowboy songs, including “Tying the Knots in the Devil’s Tail” (or “Sierry Pete’s“), and “The Dude Wrangler“.

Gail worked on his father’s ranches off and on while growing up, and later worked full time on the Cross U and Spider Ranches in Yavapai County, Arizona, for several years. He’s also worked for the Yolo Ranch, the 7UP, the DC Cattle Co., and the O6 Ranch.

In 1987, Gail, his brother Lew, and some friends Gail had worked for and with made a film about cowboys called “Ranch Album”, which was released as a national PBS special. The film was awarded a CINE Golden Eagle, TV Guide called it “cinematically brilliant and wonderfully constructed” and the Wall Street Journal said it was ” a gorgeous film.” Ranch Album was included in The Academy of Motion Picture Arts/ UCLA Film and Television Archive Series of Outstanding Documentaries.

Gail has been the foreman of the Spider Ranch since 1995. He is the recipient of the 2017 Heritage Award from the Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering.